Table.



C. I?. WILLIAMS.

TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 12. 1914.

Patented Aug. 7,1917.

LMS-51m.,

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

C. F. WILLIAMS.

TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- I2, I9I4.

1,286,12' Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. /3 I IIL.

UNITED STATEH PATENT UFFIQF;

CHARLES F. WILLIAMS, OF HAMMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO W. K. MILLER, OFHAMMOND, INDIANA.

TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '7, 191% Application filed November 12, 1914. Serial No.871,690.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. WILLIAMS,

a citizen of the United States, residing atv Hammond, in the county ofLake and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Tables, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as tables,and relates particularly to a table intended for chiropractors. Vhile,as mentioned, it is particularly intended for this purpose, it may beused wherever found applicable, and by surgeons, Osteopaths and thelike. The invention has among its objects the production of a device ofthe kind described that is sirnple, convenient, efficient, attractive,and satisfactory, and which may be adjusted as desired. It has among itsfurther objects the production of a table of the kind described uponwhich the patient may himself perform certain treatments or operationsunder the direction of or recommended by the practitioner.

To this end :my invention consists in the novel construction,arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, andmore particularly pointed out in the claims. Y

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding y parts,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my preferred form of table;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. A is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the mechanism shownin Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5, 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the device taken substantially on line 6,6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken substantiallv on line 7, 7 of Fig. 6,and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8, 8 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings. in which the preferred form of my device isshown: 1. 2, 3 and 4; are suitable pairs of legs preferably connected byside bars 5. and with other suitable cross frame parts including theside frame parts 6 and 7. Arranged at one end of the table is apreferably upholstered or padded top 8, and at the opposite end also anupholstered part 11, the parts 8 and 11 in the preferred constructionbeing substantially stationary and of the shape and form shown inFig. 1. Hinged to the cross bar carried by the legs 2 is an adjustabledrop 9, which is pivotally secured at 10, the same carrying anupholstered top 9. I also preferably pivotally secure a drop 12 to thecross piece carried by the legs 3, the same being pivotally secured at13, and provided with an upholstered top 12. The table need notnecessarily be upholstered, but this is preferred.

In the preferred construction I provide means for positively or rigidlysecuring the drops in the desired positions, for example, as is shown inFig. 2, and means for resilif ently supporting or opposing theirdropping'. To support the top 9 I have shown a lever or arm 14, whichmay be pivotally supported by a shaft 15. or its equivalent, carried bythe legs 2. The arm or lever 141 is provided with a. roller 16, or itsequivalent, arranged to coperate with the under side of the drop, and isconnected at its opposite end by springs 17, or their equivalents tohooks 18l Ona bar 18, carried by plates 18. The plates 18 are providedwith a plurality of notches, so as to afford different adjustments forthe rod or bar 18. The drop 12 is provided with an arm 19 on each side,adjustably secured thereto. As shown, arm 19 is pivotally secured at 20to the drop, and formed with a slot, through which passes a bolt or barextending through the frame parts 5, the parts being locked in thedesired position by means of the thumb nuts 21, or equivalent means; asmost clearly shown in Fig. 3, springs 25 are arranged on rods 24,secured to the drop 12. and extended through brackets 23, arranged onthe sleeve 22. secured to the frame 5, and through which the boltpasses. Any equivalent construction may, of course, be employed. I haveshown similar parts 26 connected at 27 to the drop 9, and thumb nuts 28.By means of the arms 19 and 26, and coperating parts, the drops may belocked in any desired position. Springs may be provided for the top 9,similar to springs 25. if so desired, the same being shown in thedrawings. However, in view of the yielding arm 14, the additionalsprings are not necessary for the drop 9. As most clearly shown in Fig.1, I have shown the upholstered part 8 formed with a recess 29, and thebolster 12 arranged with a space 30 between the two, which are providedfor the comfort of the user. l

Arranged at one end of the device, as shown at the end carried by thelegs 1, is a bracket 3l, carrying a part 32, to which may be attached asuitable body harness, or apparatus, which may be secured to the patientfor the purpose hereafter described. The bracket 3l and coperating part32 may be constructed as desired, that shown being comparatively simpleand rigid. At the opposite end of the table is arranged a part 33,carrying' a coperating part 34, to which may also be secured suitableapparatus, also to be attached to the patient. v The bracket 33 ispreferably adjustably secured to the table in any suitable way, and asshown in Figs. 6 and 7, is secured to a T-shaped part 36, slidablycarried by the frame of the machine. rIhe part 36 is normally maintainedin a retracted position, as shown, by a spring member 37, or itsequivalent for the purpose. The same may be arranged to be adjusted ormoved to any desired position by any suitable mechanism. For this Ipreferably employ mechanism that may be controlled or operated at theopposite end of the table. Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and 7, 38are cables extending over pulleys 39 and 40, or their equivalents,secured to drums 4l (see Figs. 5 and 6) which are mounted on a shaft 42.Arranged on each end of the shaft 42 is a ratchet wheel 43 (see Fig. 4).Carried by the shaft 42 is an arm 44, and pivotally secured thereto at46 is a pawl 45, the same being adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel43. As shown, a spring 47 normally retains the pawl in engagement withthe ratchet. To release the pawl, a lever 48, which is pivotally securedat 46 to arm 44, is provided, the same carrying a pin or lug 49,arranged to engage i with and lift the pawl when the thumb vpiece 50 ispressed against arm 44. A locking pawl 5l pivotallyseeured at 52,provides means for locking the ratchet wheel against movement during themovement of arm 44, to engage a new tooth on the ratchet. As shown, aspring 53 normally maintains the locking pawl 5l in, an operativeposition. While I have shown a lever 44 on each side, there need be onlyone lever on the desired side. It may be mentioned that in the drawingssome of the parts are shown somewhat out of proportion as relative toothers, for the purpose of making the construction clear.

In use, the patient may be placed upon the table, with either one of thedrops or supports 9 and l2, or both of them, rigidly` or yieldinglysupported as may be desired. For some treatments, `as for example whereit is desired to stretch the patient, or-place the body under a tensionfor manipulation,

as for example, treatment of the spine, suitable harnesses or apparatusare connected to the upper part of the body and feet, and to the parts32 and 34, or their equivalents. The practitioner may then move thebracket 34 by manipulating one or both of the levers 44, or this can bedone by the patient7 particularly if he is lying on his abdomen. As thelevers 44, or either of them, are moved back and forth, the drums 41 arerotated, drawing the cables 38 and 4moving the slide 36 carrying thepart to 34. If the lever 44 is moved enough to cause the pawl 45 toengage with pawl 5l, that pawl will be released and the pawl 45 may thenbe released by depressing the thumb piece 50. When the ratchet wheel isreleased from both pawls, the spring 37 draws slide 36 back, for exampleas shown in Figs. 2 or 6. It will be ]Jarticularly noted by referring toFig. l, that what may be termed the head end of the table is of lesswidth than the opposite end in the preferred construction. r.the size ofthe table and particular construction may vary with the preferment ofindividual users. The practitioner may, however, place the patient onthe table with the head in `either direction. This table has all theadvantages of a rigid table, since the parts may be made rigidwhenrequired or desired, with the added advantage that a portion of thesame may be made yielding, or adjusted to suit. Likewise, the patient,with this type of table, can to a certain extent treat himself under thedirection of the practitioner. IVhile I have pointed out certain uses ofthe invention and advantages thereof, many others-will appear to thoseskilled in the art, and having use for a table of the kind described.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifica- I,tions may be made in the same without departingfrom the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement orcombination of parts hereinv shown and described, or uses mentioned.

lVhat Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitable frameprovided with a top comprising two non-tiltable end sections rigidlymaintained in spa-ced relation to one another, with an interveningsection pivotally connected at one end thereof in proximity to the innerend of one of the end sections, and means for rigidly supporting thefree end of the intervening section in various positions of adjustment.

2. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitable frameprovided with a top including two non-tiltable end sections rigidlymaintained in spaced relation to one another, with an interveningsection pivotally connected at one end thereof in proximity to the innerend of one of the end sections, means for yieldably supporting the freeend of the intervening section, and means for rigidly supporting thefree end of said intervening section in various positions of adjustment.

3. In a table of the kind described in combination, a suitable frameprovided with a top comprising two non-tiltable end sections rigidlymaintained in spaced relation to one another, with two interveningsections, each of which is pivotally connected at one end thereof inproximity to the inner end of one of the end sections, and means foradjustably supporting the free ends of the intervening sectionsindependently of each other.

4f. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitableframe provided with a top comprising two non-tiltable end sectionsrigidly maintained in spaced relation to one another, with twointervening sections, each of which is pivotally connected at one endthereofin proximity to the inner end of one of the end sections, andmeans for adjustable supporting the free ends of the interveningsections.-

5. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitable frameprovided with a top comprising two non-tiltable end sections rigidlymaintained in spaced relation to one another with two interveningsections, each pivotally connected at one end thereof in proximity tothe inner end of one of the end sections, means for yieldably supportingthe free ends of said intervening sections, and means for rigidlysupporting the free ends of the intervening sections in variouspositions of adjustment.

6. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitable frameprovided with a top comprising two non-tiltable end sections rigidlymaintained in spaced relation to one another, with a plurality ofintervening sections, each pivotally connected at one end thereof inproximity to the inner end of one of the end sections, means foradjustably supporting the free ends of the intervening sections; bracketmembers arranged at each end of the frame, one of said bracket membersbeing slidingly carried by the frame, and means for positively movingsaid last mentioned bracket member in a direction to regulate thedistance between the bracket members, and means for returning the partsto their normal position.

7. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitableframe, a top carried thereby comprising a plurality of parts, one ofsaid parts pivotally secured to the frame on an axis transversely of theframe, means for supporting the free edge of said part as desired, abracket carried by one end of said frame, and an adjustable bracketcarried at the other end of said frame, means for controlling saidmovable bracket comprising a slidable support for said bracket, andmeans extending to the opposite end of the table for controlling saidsupporting member, including a cable and drum, said cable extending fromsaid slidable support to said drum and secured thereto, a rotatableshaft extending through said drum with the drum secured thereto, aratchet wheel arranged on the end of said shaft, an operatting lever, apawl for said ratchet wheel operatively carried by said lever, means fordisengaging said pawl as desired, an auxiliary pawl arranged to engagesaid ratchet, and means for resiliently maintaining said pawl inengagement with the ratchet.

8. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a frame, a topcarried thereby comprising two stationary end sections, one providedwith a recess therein, a drop part pivotally secured to the frameproximate said section, adjustable means for yieldingly supporting saiddrop part at the free end thereof, means for positively locking saidpart in the desired position, another drop part pivotally secured to theframe adjacent the other end section, means for yieldingly supportingsaid last mentioned drop part, and means for positively locking the samein the desired position, a bracket arranged at each end of said table,one bracket movable relative the other, and means for controlling saidbracket as desired.

9. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitable framepart, a top carried thereby comprising a suitable part arranged at eachend of the frame and two intermediate adjustable parts, one pivotallysecured to the frame adjacent one end part and the other pivotallysecured to the frame adjacent the other end part, supporting means forone of said adjustable parts comprising a lever pivotally carried by theframe below the top and provided with a roll at one end arranged toco-act with the under side of said adjustable part, springs yieldinglyconnecting the opposite end of said arm to the frame, supporting meansfor the other adjustable top part comprising a cross-bar carried by theframe, brackets carried by said bar, rods pivotally secured to the toppart and slidably extending through said brackets, springs arranged onsaid rods and arranged to bear against the top part and said brackets,and adjustable means for rigidly securing either of said adjustable topparts in the desired position.

10. In a table of the kind described and in combination, a suitableframe provided with a top comprising two non-tiltable end sectionsrigidly maintained in spaced relation to one another, an interveningsection pivotally connected at one end thereof in proximity to the innerend of one of the end CHARLES F. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses ROY W. HILL, CHARLES I. COBB.

sections, means for adjustably `supporting the free end of theintervening section, bracket members arranged at each end of the frame,one ofV said bracket members being 'slidnbly mounted on the frame, andmeans for positively moving said last mentioned bracket member toregulate the distance between the bracket members.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

